Footstool

Despite their advanced age, George and Martha Washington experienced a renewed family life at Mount Vernon after they adopted their two youngest grandchildren: Eleanor "Nelly" Parke Custis and George "Washy" Washington Parke Custis, in 1781. The change may have necessitated the purchase of new furniture, such as this small stool. Its form served a variety of uses. In addition to elevating tired feet, low footstools, also known as "crickets," were ideal seating furniture for young children. According to family legend Martha Washington later gave this stool to Nelly. More

Short oval wooden footstool on four straight tapered legs; the curved frame is made from laminated secondary wood; all exterior surfaces are veneered in mahogany and are further embellished with contrasting inlay; light wood stringing outlines the tapered length of each leg face and sides; adorning the upper face of each leg is a shaded paterae set within an open square of string inlay; successive gothic drop inlays span the upper edge of the seat rail between each square; the striped butter cream and white upholstery is a 1977 replacement of a mid-nineteenth century installation.